National Basketball Association

Doc Rivers on Redick's postseason resume: 'J.J. is built like a playoff-type player'

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:10 p.m. ET

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When you think of the Clippers and postseason, you think of the Big Three - Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

But it's J.J. Redick who has the most postseason experience. Redick has played for three teams (Orlando, Milwaukee, Clippers), and yet, he's been to the playoffs in each of his nine years in the NBA. 

"I've been lucky, probably," Redick said. "If you look at my seventh year, I probably shouldn't have been in the playoffs. I was on an Orlando team and got traded at the deadline to Milwaukee, and we won 37 games and made the playoffs. There's an asterisk next to that season. But other than that, I feel I've been on good teams and played for good coaches and all that stuff." 

On Sunday, the No. 3 seed Clippers meet No. 6 seed San Antonio -- the defending champions -- in Game 1 of the playoffs' first round. The Spurs have a roster full of players with impressive postseason experience, including Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. San Antonio has been to the playoffs 18 consecutive years, and coach Gregg Popovich has led the team to five NBA titles. 

Redick has never been on an NBA championship team, however. In 2009, he came off the bench for the Magic, who lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals. 

"I think playoff experience is big. I don't necessarily think it's underrated or overrated," Redick said. "I just think it's a fact and can pop up at times, and it can matter. For me, the thing I've learned the most in playoffs is to just be even-keeled. Whether you're down in a series or down in a game, you just keep playing and trust what you do."

Clippers coach Doc Rivers trusts in Redick, the sharp-shooter who is having he best season of his career. He broke the Clippers' franchise record with 200 3-pointers this season, and he's averaging 16.4 points per game and shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. 

"I think it is important for him," Rivers said of his postseason experience. "The way he plays obviously helps our team. JJ is built like a playoff-type player in a lot of ways. We jokingly say, and it's probably true, if it wasn't for Christian Laettner, that 30 for 30 (ESPN documentary) thing would've been about J.J. He's used to being the guy people want to stop or hate or people don't like. That's the playoffs in a lot of ways. For him, this is great."

The film was entitled "I Hate Christian Laettner," and while at Duke, Redick experienced plenty of hate from opposing fans. 

All of that experience can help. An added bonus for the Clippers is that Redick is not only playing well but healthy this season. Rivers said Redick was a "shell of himself" in the playoffs last year because of injuries.

Redick has a reputation for endless work on his shot and a scheduled pregame routine. Rivers said he's always telling his players that if Redick, who has the best shot on his team, is working the most on his shot, what does that show his teammates? 

Plenty.

"I try to get better every year," Redick said. "This has been a great basketball situation for me in L.A. with the Clippers and playing for Doc and playing with CP, Blake and DJ. It's been very enjoyable. I think it's allowed me to play to my strengths.

"I work in the summer. I do extra in the season. I'm always trying to get better. When I got off to a slow start the first 10 game this season I wasn't discouraged. I knew the amount of work I put in in the offseason, and I knew eventually things would work out and I'm shooting the ball pretty well."

Redick has much playoff experience he can draw on and share with young teammates, especially bench players like Austin Rivers, who will be competing in his first postseason. Redick came off the bench his entire career until he arrived in Los Angeles. And coming off the bench in the playoffs, when rotations become shorter, can be a tricky gig. 

"The year we made the Finals (with the Magic) in 2009, our first-round opponent was (No.) 6 seed Philadelphia," Redick said. "(Andre) Igoudala hit a game-winner in Game 1. We win Game 2. We go to Philly. Thaddeus Young hits a game-winner in Game 3. We're down 2-1. Game 4 we're down most of the game. (Hedo) Turk(oglu) has to hit a game-winner in Game 4. We win Game 5. Dwight (Howard) gets suspended. Courtney Lee breaks his face. Me and Marcin Gortat had to start on the road in Game 6, and we ended up winning the series. A lot can happen, and you've just got to roll with the punches."

Something Redick knows how to do all too well in the postseason.

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